Box Score (.pdf)

Spartanburg, S.C. – Brennan Morgan's two-run single with two outs in the eighth inning broke a 6-6 tie as the Kennesaw State Owls defeated USC Upstate 8-6 at Harley Park on Saturday.

Kennesaw State improves to 17-19 overall and 7-1 in the Atlantic Sun while Upstate falls to 16-19 and 1-6.

After a Spartan error allowed Kennesaw State leadoff hitter Corey Greeson to reach, a wild pitch advanced Greeson to second base. Greeson advanced to third on a groundout before scoring on an Austin Upshaw single. Taylor Allum brought Upshaw home on a double down the right field line for a 2-0 Kennesaw State lead.

Upstate got a run a run back in the first inning after J.J. Shimko reached on a leadoff walk and scored on a Charlie Carpenter single.

The Owls added three runs in the second inning on a Greeson double, a Grant Williams single and a wild pitch. In the home half of the inning, Upstate scored a pair of runs thanks to a wild pitch and a James Fowlkes sacrifice fly. The Spartans left the bases loaded after a groundout ended the inning.

Kennesaw State added a run in the fourth inning on a fielder's choice. Shimko began the Upstate half of the inning with a walk followed by a Fowlkes single. Shimko would score on a Cody Brittain base hit. Pat Raiff was hit by a pitch to load the bases with two outs. Anthony Vaglica would reach on a Kennesaw State error that allowed two runs to score, tying the game at 6-6. The next three innings would see two combined baserunners.

Greeson got things started in the Kennesaw State eighth with a two out single and then stole second. A hit batter and an intentional walk would load the bases for Greeson, who hit a slow grounder up the middle that brought home the winning runs.

Upstate threatened in the ninth inning as Zach Krider reached on a single to right field and advanced to second on a two out single by Daniel Fickas before a strikeout ended the game.

Brittain went 2-for-5 with two singles, a run scored and an RBI. Fickas went 2-for-5 with two singles. Fowlkes and Carpenter each drove in a run.

Greeson went 3-for-4 with four runs scored and an RBI. Upshaw went 2-for-3 with two singles, a run scored and an RBI. Morgan went 1-for-4 with a single and three RBI.

Mason Ward (2-1) earned the win, allowing one hit with five strikeouts in 4.1 innings of relief. Richard Lovelady (3) picked up the save as he allowed two hits with two strikeouts in 1.1. innings. Kevin Hickey (2-1) took the loss, allowing two runs on four hits with one walk, one hit batter and five strikeouts in 4.2 innings.

The series concludes tomorrow at 1 p.m.

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